HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Peak Swelling?

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/4/2013 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard a lot about Nissen post-operative peak swelling and how that occurs at about the 10- 14 day mark. How long does the "peak swelling" last? When does the swelling decrease?
Posted 9/4/2013 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Don't no how long it lasts but think I'm in that stage feels like I'm bloated under my ribs ,
Ali
Posted 9/5/2013 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Ian-

It's really hard to say how long it will last or when it will completely subside as everyone heals differently. The peak swelling can occur anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks.

Once it is reached it starts to subside, but depending an how your body is dealing with the recovery process it varies as to how long until it's gone. I know this isn't very helpful.

If things get to challenging just back off what you are eating. If you are eating soft foods and it's too tough just switch to full liquids for a day or so and try to add back in soft foods slowly.
Full liquids can be any thick soups, puddings, runny oatmeal or malto meal, etc.
I have founf that drinking some warm tea before eating helps loosen things up a bit. Not too much though or you will be too full to eat. I drank it about 5 mins before I ate.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/5/2013 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Bill-- Thanks for the reply. I see the doctor next week. I'm wondering if I'll be cleared to eat mashed potatoes. I'm really craving them.
Posted 9/5/2013 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
Ian
Just try it my surgeon just said try soft when you feel ready and if it hurts switch back to liquids.
I blend mash potatoe with a bag of veg and gravy
Ali
Posted 9/5/2013 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
Ian-

You can make the mashed taters on the thin side and it should be okay. Just take your time eating it as it can pile up at the wrap if you don't give it enough time to go through. I usually wait about 30 seconds or so.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/5/2013 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Ian,

I do not think I have hit the peak swelling yet and I am on day 15 of my recovery. I keep waiting for it but I feel pretty much feel the same. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he made no mention of any more swelling. He told me to stay away from carbonation, steak, and bread for about 6 more weeks. I asked him about exercise and he said no weight lifting or running. He said I could continue to walk or cycle. I hate both of those exercises and really want to hit the running track and weight room again. I will wait at least 6 months before I start jogging again....maybe longer depending on what Bill and Denise advise.

Back to your topic of soft foods, my surgeon recommended that I start a soft diet on day 4 but that was too soon for me. I started on day 5 or 6 and then took off from there.

Posted 9/6/2013 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian,

Every surgeon has his own eating protocol, but I can tell you this.  If you take very small bites of whatever you crave, and chew, chew, chew it until it's thoroughly "blended" into a creamy liquid consistency, you will do fine.  If whatever you are eating doesn't chew completely to a liquid, don't swallow it.  (I used to keep a paper napkin handy and discreetly deposit the offending food there.)

My surgeon put me on the "chew to a liquid" routine when I saw him on Day 6.  He actually said that chewing to a liquid can be better than soft foods, as "you can get a bolus of mashed potatoes" stuck.  I always thought it was interesting that he mentioned mashed potatoes.  Don't get me wrong...mashed (actually whipped, which is better at this stage) potatoes were one of my first soft foods.  My doc sent me home on soft foods, so you can see his eating protocol is very liberal.  He trusts his patients to use their own good judgment when eating.  In my case it worked great.

As has been mentioned before, if you start having any difficulties with wrap swelling or discomfort, simply revert to liquids/full liquids for a few days.  Then try again.

Happy eating!

Denise

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply